Written by Marius P. Kuate Ngouanom
Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection caused by a microorganism, called Histoplasma capsulatum. This microorganism is found in areas where soil is enriched with bird or bat droppings. A fungus (spores) develops around these droppings and when the soil is disturbed these spores can be inhaled, leading to infection. Additional hotspots for histoplasma include areas with poor sanitation, uncontrolled construction sites and caves.
People working or living in environments such as caves, poultry farms, old buildings, and construction sites are at risk, especially children. Frequent outdoor activities and their underdeveloped immune systems make them vulnerable and while infection is usually mild or asymptomatic, it can progress to severe respiratory or disseminated disease in malnourished or immunocompromised children.
Some of the main risk factors in children are malnutrition, weak immune system and poor hygiene. Simple measures such as preventing children from playing in hotspot areas and maintaining environmental and personal hygiene can significantly reduce exposure.
A lack of education and non-specific symptoms make addressing histoplasmosis challenging as this often results in misdiagnosis. The common symptoms of histoplasmosis include fever, cough, fatigue, and weight loss which are also symptoms of other infections like tuberculosis or bacterial pneumonia. This often leads to delayed treatment, increasing the risk of complications and death in children.
Raising awareness around hotspot areas, risk factors and preventive measures of histoplasmosis among parents and the community leaders is essential, as these later play an essential role in both exposure and prevention of the disease in children.
Histoplasmosis may be silent and misdiagnosed, but its impact on children can be profound. By recognising environmental risks and promoting preventive practices, communities can protect their youngest members from this hidden threat. In the project “Support1”, to tackle histoplasmosis, we aim to determine the prevalence of histoplasmosis in children living with HIV in order to prove that it infects children in the community of participating countries. Data obtained here will be used to advocate and raise awareness both at the community and national levels. Early and appropriate detection of histoplasmosis will also allow rapid treatment and reduce possible complications in these children.
